Construction spending tumbled 1.4% in February to $761 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, the lowest total since 1999 and 6.8% percent below the February 2010 level, the Census Bureau reported on Friday. The slump was accentuated by downward revisions for January (from $792 billion to $771 billion) and December (from $798 billion to $785 billion).

Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment increased in February in 35 states, decreased in 14 states and the District of Columbia, and was unchanged in Hawaii, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported on Friday.

Financial pressures on contractors grew worse in February as prices for key construction materials rose sharply even as prices construction firms charge for completed projects remained stagnant, according to an analysis of producer price index figures released Wednesday by AGC.

Seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment increased in January in 35 states and the District of Columbia and decreased in 15 states, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported on Thursday. Compared with January 2010, employment rose in 42 states and D.C. and declined in eight states.

Associated General Contractors Chief Economist Ken Simonson, American Institute of Architects Chief Economist Kermit Baker, and Reed Construction Data Chief Economist Jim Haughey discussed "Construction: Time to Spring Forward?" in a webinar on March 3. The economic experts examined the current market conditions and detailed the US construction outlook for 2011. To view an archive of the presentation click here.

Construction spending in January totaled $792 billion at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, the Census Bureau reported today, down 0.7% from the upwardly revised December total of $798 billion (originally estimated as $788 billion), down 5.9% from the January 2010 level and the second-lowest mark since July 2000.

“The value of new construction starts retreated 6% in January” at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, according to McGraw-Hill Construction (MHC), based on data it collected. “The decline came as the result of a pullback for nonresidential building after a strong December, combined with a loss of momentum for residential building.

The Census Bureau has begun to provide detailed locality and other data about population changes between 2000 and 2010. As of February 22, population changes by county and city were available for 13 states, with seven more expected this week and the rest by the end of March.

The producer price index (PPI) for finished goods increased 0.8% in January and 3.6% over the past 12 months, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported on Wednesday.

The prices contractors must pay for many essential construction materials continued to increase in January, even as the amount they charge for completed projects remains flat, according to an analysis of January producer price index figures released Wednesday by AGC.